Hormone replacement therapy and epilepsy

Abstract

Since ancient times the menstrual cycle has been thought to influence the occurrence and frequency of seizures. The phenomenon of catamenial epilepsy seizures, which either occur at or around the time of menstruation, or become more frequent at this time, has been the subject of much research, although the literature is beset by methodological problems. In contrast, epilepsy at the menopause has not attracted the same attention and in the last 15 years only three studies have been published. None of them has produced conclusive results on the effect of the menopause on the course of epilepsy or the effects, if any, of hormone replacement therapy on seizure control.